Trouble remembering biological terms?

[snvplayer]

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is it just me or do you guys also have trouble remembering a lot of biological terms, such as Diptera, Musca, or Archaea ?

I am wondering if it's only difficult for me whose mother language is not English, or if it's the same for native speakers...

 

[think]

its not just u

 

[eelo]

Well, I'm not sure what part of Diptera, Musca or Archea are associated with English, so I think that blaming this on English being your second language is weak.

If anything, most medical are more closely associated with Latin than any other language, so any Latin-based language would give someone an advantage. Keep in mind that English is not considered a Latin-based language.

I thought there was a requirement for a certain proficiency in English before attending pharmacy school in the US? Frankly, "I don't speak no good english" should never be used as an excuse in a graduate or professional program in this country, whether by native English speakers or ELL.

 

[Knickerbocker]

I thought there was a requirement for a certain proficiency in English before attending pharmacy school in the US? Frankly, "I don't speak no good english" should never be used as an excuse in a graduate or professional program in this country, whether by native English speakers or ELL.

There are tests that non-native English speakers have to take to get into graduate programs. Unfortunately, like many other standardized tests, you can train to pass those without really learning much.

 

[eelo]

There are tests that non-native English speakers have to take to get into graduate programs. Unfortunately, like many other standardized tests, you can train to pass those without really learning much.

I absolutely don't mean to imply that a person's ability to learn and speak English as a second (or third, or eighth) language has any correlation to the person's intelligence. I know many non-native speakers who are brilliant individuals, and I have a ton of respect for those people who are fluent in more than one language.

However if I, as a native English speaker, was attending professional school in, say, Poland, I sure wouldn't be complaining that the Polish words were too hard to pronounce.

 

[snvplayer]

Well, although English is my second language, I have studied in U.S since I was 15.

I admit my English isn't probably as perfect as it could be, but I have done pretty well in TOEFL (the english proficiency test), and have taken SAT, and finished my B.S in UW-Madison. So I think it's fair to say that I am used to studying in English.

However, a lot of biological terms were tough to remember since I wasn't familiar with them (you don't encounter terms like diptera, musca, ulna, femur everyday), and I was simply curious if it was the same for even native speakers.

Not that I am whining, but I believe there is nothing wrong w/ complaning.
What's important is whether you get it done or not.

 

[eelo]

Well, although English is my second language, I have studied in U.S since I was 15.

I admit my English isn't probably as perfect as it could be, but I have done pretty well in TOEFL (the english proficiency test), and have taken SAT, and finished my B.S in UW-Madison. So I think it's fair to say that I am used to studying in English.

However, a lot of biological terms were tough to remember since I wasn't familiar with them (you don't encounter terms like diptera, musca, ulna, femur everyday), and I was simply curious if it was the same for even native speakers.

Not that I am whining, but I believe there is nothing wrong w/ complaning.
What's important is whether you get it done or not.

Complaining's good for the soul, eh? ;-)

Seriously- I think people whose first language is latin-based probably have an easier time with medical terminology, especially anatomy. As far as drug names..... that's a whole different language.

I'd guess that medical terminology is just as difficult for native speakers as it is for non-native speakers.

 

[snvplayer]

Complaining's good for the soul, eh? ;-)

Seriously- I think people whose first language is latin-based probably have an easier time with medical terminology, especially anatomy. As far as drug names..... that's a whole different language.

I'd guess that medical terminology is just as difficult for native speakers as it is for non-native speakers.

Ah, finally the answer I was looking for...It's comforting to hear it's as much pain in the butt for you guys to remember those terms... ;-)

Anyways, I believe complaining, whining, and bi%$hing is the only recourse to any problems!!!!!! Just joking...